Why I'm supporting the Green Shift
The basic concept of the Green Shift is simple: we should tax income less, and pollution more. And the great advantage for consumers is this: for most of us, it’s much less painful to reduce pollution (and thus tax) than it is to reduce income.
Continue reading the post titled Why I'm supporting the Green ShiftNegligent Engineers – is the Public Protected?
Who should the public trust to do environmental site assessments? The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) proposes to sharply cut down the list of “Qualified Persons”, on the assumption that only Professional Engineers and Geoscientists have both qualifications and professional regulatory bodies to ensure their competence. This argument seems to be falling apart. We don’t...
Continue reading the post titled Negligent Engineers – is the Public Protected?Sansone and 310 Waste win new trial
In one of the biggest environmental cases of 2007/8, huge fines and jail sentences were imposed on the former owners and operators of a waste transfer site on Keele Street, in Vaughan. The site caught fire in 2004, creating a huge plume of choking smoke and enormous political heat. Today, the defendants won a new trial.
Continue reading the post titled Sansone and 310 Waste win new trialAnother anti-wind power appeal dismissed
Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) has dismissed another anti-wind power appeal: May 14, 2014, Pitt v. MOE ERT Registry Number: 13-121. The Wainfleet Wind Energy Project can now proceed, despite objections from a skydiving club. The ERT ruled that the club had not shown that the turbines were likely to cause even one serious skydiving...
Continue reading the post titled Another anti-wind power appeal dismissedCarnival Shut Down for Air Pollution Health Hazard
In August 2012, the Health Services Appeal and Review Board (HSARB), for the first time ever, held air pollution (aside from second hand smoke) to be a “health hazard” under Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). Air Pollution Health Hazard Under section 13(1) of the Act, a public health inspector may order any person...
Continue reading the post titled Carnival Shut Down for Air Pollution Health HazardEnvironmental Bill of Rights “Leave to Appeal” Test Remains a Significant Hurdle to ECA Appeals
The Environmental Review Tribunal (“ERT” or “Tribunal”) released a decision in Freshway Investments Inc. v. Ontario (MECP) on November 5, 2018 denying an application for leave to appeal an Environmental Compliance Approval (“ECA”) for a Waste Disposal Site in York Region, Ontario (the “Site”). This decision confirms once again that while the Environmental Bill of...
Continue reading the post titled Environmental Bill of Rights “Leave to Appeal” Test Remains a Significant Hurdle to ECA AppealsMOE Director admits that the Northstar directors were not polluters
Our high-stakes case, appealing the imposition of infinite retroactive personal liability on directors for contamination they did not cause, will be heard by the Environmental Review Tribunal starting October 28. Initial witness statements in Baker v Director, Ministry of the Environment were filed September 27, and make fascinating reading. For example, Jane Glassco, the Ministry Director...
Continue reading the post titled MOE Director admits that the Northstar directors were not pollutersSuncor stormwater conviction
According to Alberta Environment, the Provincial Court of Alberta in Fort McMurray has fined Suncor Energy Inc. $275,000 for contravening its water approval at the Voyager Upgrader site 20 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
Continue reading the post titled Suncor stormwater convictionInco to pay $36 million in Port Colborne class action
Inco has been ordered to pay $36 million to past and present property owners in Port Colborne, for lost property value due to historic nickel contamination. None of the contamination occurred after 1984, and Inco complied with all applicable laws during the operation of its refinery. Nevertheless, Justice Henderson ruled that Inco is strictly liable...
Continue reading the post titled Inco to pay $36 million in Port Colborne class actionNew brownfields standards coming soon
Ministry of the Environment staff are seeking approval for proposed changes to the brownfields regulation, 153/04. Last year, the MOE proposed far-reaching changes, including: much more stringent generic cleanup standards, to be phased in 12 months later, a more flexible Tier 2 for risk assessment,
Continue reading the post titled New brownfields standards coming soonReceive Blog Posts
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